Authorities in Maricopa County say they've found roughly 4,000 pounds of marijuana abandoned in two vehicles in Vekol Valley.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said their helicopter spotted the vehicles and backpacks stuffed with pot off Interstate 8 near Gila Bend on Thursday. MCSO said the suspects tried to conceal the drugs using camouflage tarps and desert cacti.

Arpaio said his office is implementing new procedures to assist in finding and arresting drug suspects that are fleeing. Details on the new procedures were not released.